pts-athletic-program-2018-19 by PTS Communications

ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

Philosophy

The Palmer Trinity School Athletic Department philosophy is an extension of Palmer Trinity School’s Mission Statement . All members of the PTS Athletic community are expected to act on and positively reflect the School’s core values . PTS Athletics provides opportunities for young people to compete while encouraging the development of social skills, building healthy habits, and fostering school spirit . Our focus is on developing good athletes of good character . We believe in instilling strong leadership skills and work ethic . We will inform athletes about nutrition and fitness development so they can apply this knowledge throughout their lives . PTS athletes win when coaches focus on helping them do their best both in the classroom and in competition, and when athletes commit to dedicating themselves to their sport, their teammates, their team, and their skill development . We believe that combining all of these components results in a formula for success .

Mission

To develop healthy habits, improve fitness, teach sports skills, incorporate life lessons, and provide competition at the appropriate level in middle school, junior varsity, and varsity sports . We will guide student-athletes to build the commitment, dedication, teamwork, accountability, respect, responsibility, cooperation, integrity, humility, self discipline, perseverance, courage, and loyalty needed for the pursuit of excellence in the classroom and field of play

Vision Statement

Palmer Trinity School athletics will provide healthy competition, develop leaders, and foster a sense of spirit in the community

Middle School Athletics Values

Middle school athletics teaches the love of the game These athletes are encouraged to try several sports to foster overall wellness and social skills The focus is placed on skill development, learning the rules of the game, developing social skills, and having fun . The amount of playing time on a team is determined by the coach on the basis of criteria established at the beginning of the season . We make an effort to play all team members at this level, but there are no guarantees. Every team practice is 90 minutes long, five days per week, including games .

High School Athletics Values

High school athletics is a time to put the skills, lessons, and development from middle school into competition . These athletes are trained to compete at a high level while fostering good sportsmanship and displaying good character . High school teams are competitive and may have a limited amount of team members . Playing time on a team is determined by the coach on the basis of criteria established at the beginning of the season There is no guaranteed playing time at this level. Teams practice 120 minutes, 6 days per week .

Parent Statement of Commitment

» Support in our words and actions the policies, standards, and expectations of our School as articulated in the Student Hand Book, Athletic Handbook, and Honor Code .

» Communicate concerns with school personnel through appropriate channels, ensuring the most efficient collaboration for the health and well-being of our children

» Respect the School calendar, the daily schedule, and our contractual obligation to the School .

» Utilize the School’s website, email, and other modes of communication to remain informed about school events, policies, and updates .

» Respect the professionals engaged in our child’s learning

» Provide volunteer support and participate in the School’s annual fundraising initiatives

» Engage in responsible and respectful citizenship

Athletic Conference

Middle School and High School

The Palmer Trinity School Middle School Varsity teams compete in the South Florida Middle School Conference (SFMSC) . The Middle School Conference members are Westminster Christian, Gulliver Prep, Ransom Everglades, Carrollton, Miami Country Day, Divine Savior, Florida Christian, and Riviera Prep . The Palmer Trinity High School Varsity Softball (SFSC), Baseball (SFBC), and Football (FIFC) teams compete in independent conferences The conferences give each sport the opportunity to play a regular season schedule and concludes the season with a championship tournament . Each conference league has a set of bylaws, along with an Executive Committee or Commissioner to govern the league .

Equipment

The Athletic Department will supply most of the sports equipment . Each sport is different, each with its own culture and needs . Yet the Athletic Department will supply each team with an away and home team uniform Any other extra equipment or uniforms will be determined by the coach and the athletic director . All equipment and uniforms are expected to be returned in functional condition minus regular usage for contest Student-athletes are responsible for damages, loss, or replacement All uniforms must be returned before another uniform is given for a different sport .

Athletic Banquet

At the end of the School year we celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes with a year-end Athletic Banquet held in the PTS Gymnasium . The banquet is held between late April and early May . All student-athletes must attend to support their team, teammates, and athletic program . All three seasons will be recognized at the banquet and each team will hand out four awards to its team members selected by the coaching staff . The awards include Most Valuable Player, Coaches Award, Falcon Award, and Academic Balance Award . The Athlete of the Year awards are also presented at the banquet . All middle school teams will hold an end of season party .

Parent Meeting

A team parent meeting will be held by the Head Coach at the start of each sports season This is an important team meeting that sets the tone for the season At the meeting the Head Coach will inform parents about the team’s philosophy, rules, practice schedule, game schedule, and selected team parents This is a great time for parents to meet the coaching staff and ask questions All teams should end with a team party or event .

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS PROGRAMS

Fall Season

August – November

CHEERLEADING

Middle School Cheerleading is designed to provide opportunities for male and female students in grades 6 – 8 to join The squad consists of enthusiastic, dynamic, fun, hardworking students whose mission is to primarily represent the School with a spirit of support for teams, fans, and the Falcon community . The team is coed, with the boys forming part of the group with the Cheerleaders and Mascots Middle School Cheerleading is offered in the fall and winter It is a dynamic group of young men and women whose hard work, dedication, and commitment are part of the overall success of athletics

CROSS COUNTRY

Cross Country is a sport in which teams and individuals run races on open courses over natural terrain . The course, typically 2 .5 – 3 .5 miles long, may include surfaces of grass, pass

through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground, and sometimes gravel road It is both an individual and a team sport; runners are judged on individual times and teams are judged by a points scoring system . Both boys and girls in grades 6 – 8 compete in cross country, which takes place during the fall, and can include weather conditions of rain and a wide range of temperatures . Parents must provide tights, spikes, and socks . The Athletic Department will provide team uniforms .

FOOTBALL

6th Grade

Middle School JV Football (or 6th-Grade Football) is a contact sport played in the fall . Middle School football is offered depending on the number of participants . The Palmer Trinity 6th-Grade Football team is designed to teach young athletes to play the game safely . The team focuses on skill development, tackling, blocking techniques, and developing an overall understanding of the game . Student-athletes must be in the 6th grade at the beginning of the fall season to join the team Middle

school 6th grade girls are also welcome to join the team . All athletes must wear helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads, hip pads, thigh pads, mouth guards, chin straps, and butt pads for protection . This equipment is provided by the School Parents must provide cleats, socks, and undershirts (dry-fit) .

FOOTBALL

7th and 8th Grade

Middle School Varsity or 7th and 8th Grade

Football is a contact sport played in the fall . The Palmer Trinity 7th and 8th Grade Football team is designed to teach young athletes to play the game safely . The team focuses on skill development, tackling, blocking techniques, and overall understanding of the game Students-athletes must be in middle school at the beginning of the fall season to join the team . Middle School 7th and 8th grade girls are also welcome to join the team . The game is played on a field 50 yards wide and 120 yards long All athletes must wear helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads, hip pads, thigh pads, mouth guards, chin straps, and butt pads for protection . This equipment is provided by the Athletic Department Parents must provide cleats, socks, and undershirts (dry-fit) .

GOLF

Coed

Our Middle School Golf team is composed of students in grades 6 – 8 that play at an intermediate level . Golf is an individual skill

level sport in which we are able to combine grade levels to allow the team to grow . The teams consist of both girls and boys . Players must provide their own set of golf clubs to join the team . This is also one of a few sports that may have cuts . If a player has very limited experience playing, it will be difficult to play a match on a professional course . Golf is one of the few games that does not require a standardized playing area The game is played on a course with an arranged progression of either 9 or 18 holes . Most middle school matches play 9 holes . The Athletic Department will provide each player with a golf team shirt, bag, and hat Parents are responsible for supplying clubs, golf shoes, and gloves .

VOLLEYBALL

Girls

Volleyball is one of the most popular competitive sports offered by Palmer Trinity School, that can be played by players in grades 6 – 8, indoors or outdoors . Palmer Trinity School offers three levels of Middle School Volleyball: Middle School Varsity, which is the

top level of competition in grades 6 – 8; Middle School Junior Varsity, which is the second level of competition in grades 6 – 8; and Middle School Intermediate, which is the third level of competition that needs additional skill development and training . During the fall, the teams go through a five day placement tryout to determine the best team placement for each player’s skill level The spiking, passing, blocking, and setting moves in volleyball use almost every major muscle group of the body, and require lightning fast reactions and superior flexibility . The Athletic Department will provide home and away game uniforms Parents are responsible for supplying tights, socks, and shoes

Winter Season

November – February

BASKETBALL

Boys and Girls

Basketball is another popular sport that Palmer Trinity School offers to its middle school student-athletes during the winter season

The sport is offered as a separate program for both boys and girls in grades 6 – 8 . There are three levels of competition offered by the School: Middle School Varsity, which is the top level of competition in grades 6 – 8; Middle School Junior Varsity, which is the second level of competition in grades 6 – 8; and Middle School Intermediate, which is the third level of competition that needs additional skill development and training Basketball is a team sport in which players work together to achieve success . Parents are responsible for supplying basketball shoes and socks The Athletic Department will provide home and away game uniforms .

SOCCER

Boys and Girls

Soccer is the most popular sport on campus with over 120 middle school students trying out for teams annually . This sport is offered separately for both boys and girls in grades 6 – 8 . There are three levels of competition offered by the School: Middle School Varsity, which is the top level of competition in grades 6 – 8; Middle School Junior Varsity, which is the second level of competition in grades 6 – 8; and

Middle School Intermediate, which is the third level of competition that needs additional skill development and training . These teams are not coed Parents are responsible for supplying soccer cleats, socks, and mouth guards . The Athletic Department will provide home and away game uniforms .

Spring Season

February - May

BASEBALL

Boys

Palmer Trinity School offers one level of Middle School Baseball Baseball is one of only three sports at Palmer Trinity School that has a cut policy in middle school Due to safety reasons, if a middle school student athlete has no experience playing baseball it can be very difficult to place him on a team . A middle school baseball team may have as little as 12 players or as many as 19 on the roster . Baseball

is one of the more well known sports, and is one of the leading sports played in Miami next to soccer . Parents are responsible for supplying gloves, cleats, baseball pants (gray), and safety cups . The Athletic Department will provide home and away game uniforms and team hats

LACROSSE

Boys

Lacrosse participation has grown over the past five years in South Florida . Middle school students in grades 6 – 8 are encouraged to participate . Lacrosse will offer all participants a spot on the team Boys Lacrosse is a

contact sport . The Athletic Department will provide helmets, mouth guards, chin straps, and uniforms . Parents are responsible for supplying shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, sticks, and safety cups

SOFTBALL

Girls

Softball is played by middle school girls in grades 6 – 8 . Palmer Trinity offers one level, Middle School Varsity, based on middle school participation . Since the 1980’s Palmer Trinity School has been known for developing a strong softball program Softball is a variant of baseball played with a larger size soft ball

on a smaller field Parents are responsible for supplying cleats, socks, and gloves . The Athletic Department will provide home and away game uniforms and team hats .

TRACK + FIELD

Boys and Girls

Middle school students in grades 6 – 8 are welcome to participate Track and Field offers an average of ten races and six field events The track races include the following: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, 110m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and 4x400m relay The field events include shot put, discus, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, and high jump .

Track and Field requires a commitment to running and training throughout the season with up to eight hours spent at track meets The Track and Field program is the largest program by participation offered at Palmer Trinity School . A middle school track team averages over 40 members on a team . Parents are responsible for supplying track shoes, shorts, and socks . The Athletic Department will provide team uniforms

TENNIS

Boys and Girls

Middle school students in grades 6 – 8 are encouraged to participate Middle School

Tennis is among the few sports Palmer Trinity School offers that has limited capacity The tennis team is limited to 12 female and 12 male athletes to complete a team . The team plays five single matches and two doubles for each gender . Team tryouts are the first week of the season . (Note: For those that do not earn a spot on the tennis team, Palmer Trinity offers a Tennis Clinic the entire month of May The clinic is open to all middle school students who want to improve their tennis game .) Parents are responsible for supplying tennis rackets, shoes, socks, and water bottles . The Athletic Department will provide team uniforms and team hats

VARSITY ATHLETICS PROGRAMS

Fall Season

August – November

CHEERLEADING

High School Cheer is fast becoming a popular sport for boys and girls Cheer is a competitive sport based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which feature tumbling, dancing, jumping, cheering, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games and pep rallies High School Cheer is offered in the fall and winter . The team holds practice sessions three or four days per week for 90 minutes These student-athletes will perform for most home games with limited travel during the season . Parents are responsible for supplying bows, shoes, sneakers, and spandex . The Athletic Department will provide practice uniform tops, team uniforms, and pom poms .